Re-elected Czech MEP turns down second term in EU Parliament

2 months ago 9

In a surprise move, recently re-elected Czech MEP Martin Hlaváček (ANO, PfE) announced Monday that he would not seek a second term in the European Parliament.

During his five-year term between 2019 and 2024, Hlaváček was a member of the AGRI Committee and shadow rapporteur on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. Despite being re-elected in the recent European elections in early June, he turned down his mandate one day before the constituent session of the new European Parliament.

“For serious personal reasons, I am unable to take up the mandate of MEP. However, I plan to continue working with the ANO movement on a professional level and within my possibilities,” Hlaváček wrote on X, adding that he could cooperate with ANO’s think-tank.

In Czechia, the populist ANO party of former prime minister Andrej Babis won, securing seven seats in the new European Parliament.

The vacant seat will be filled by Tomáš Kubín, a politician with a background in local politics and industry.

With Hlaváček announcing his rejection of the post, Tomáš Kubín, a politician with a background in municipal politics and the heading industry, is set to take up his position. Kubín was number eight on ANO’s EU election list and had begun preparations to become an assistant to another newly elected ANO MEP, Jaroslava Pokorná Jermanová.

Speaking to the Czech News Agency, Kubín was surprised at learning of Hlaváček’s resignation. “I had no idea. It is fresh news for me,” Kubín said.

“Right now, I cannot say which area I will focus on in the European Parliament. It depends on our agreement within the ANO movement and the entire group,” Kubín added, as quoted by the Czech News Agency.

However, in pre-election interviews, Kubín had revealed his interest in EU energy and climate policy.

The ANO party will be part of the “Patriots for Europe” group in the new European Parliament, led by Rassemblement National’s Jordan Bardella. ANO MEP Klára Dostálová is the new group’s vice-chair.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)